Introduction
Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) ensures the safety and longshmity of structures by continuously monitoring their condition using advanced sensors and data analysis. Unlike periodic NDT checks, SHM provides real-time defect tracking, enabling proactive maintenance, safer operations, and full compliance with industrial standards.
Challenges These Days
Infrastructures are susceptible to hidden or unnoticeable failures caused by natural shments such as earthquakes, avalanches, and excessive snow loads.
Human-induced factors, including heavy traffic, ongoing construction activities, and other dynamic loads, can also contribute to such failures.
Challenges for Customers
Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) systems enable early identification of failures or potential safety risks in buildings, bridges, tunnels, and other critical infrastructures by monitoring parameters such as vibrations and structural deformations.
Designing these systems requires highly precise measurements with low power consumption, along with reliable and durable components capable of operating effectively in diverse and harsh environments.
Solutions We Provide
1. Robust, Precision Signal Conditioning
Strain Measurement
Usually performed with resistive foil strain gauges.
Configurations: full-bridge, half-bridge, or quarter-bridge.
Provides information on stress distribution and structural response to loads.
Vibration Measurement
Commonly performed using IEPE accelerometers for dynamic vibration acquisition.
Displacement Measurement
Linear Variable Differential Transformers (LVDTs) and string potentiometers are commonly used to track structural deflections or crack openings.
Temperature Measurement
Thermocouples and Resistance Temperature Detectors (RTDs) monitor material temperature variations and thermal effects on structural performance.
Sound and Noise Measurement
General Purpose Array Microphone with BNC Connector is a prepolarized condenser microphone designed for general sound and noise measurements. With its robust build and BNC connection for easy integration, it is ideal for array setups in applications like noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) testing, sound field analysis, and structural health monitoring.
2. Modular Data Acquisition Platform
cDAQ
It is a CompactDAQ Ethernet chassis from NI that provides a modular and scalable platform for data acquisition. It supports I/O modules, enabling mixed-signal measurements such as vibration, temperature, strain, and voltage. With network connectivity, it allows distributed and synchronized data acquisition across multiple locations, making it ideal for structural health monitoring, test benches, and industrial applications.
cRIO
It is a CompactRIO controller from NI that combines a real-time processor, FPGA, and modular I/O for high-performance embedded control and monitoring. It offers deterministic processing, rugged design, and flexibility to integrate multiple I/O modules, making it well-suited for industrial automation, advanced control systems, and Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) applications.
NI PXIe System
A PXIe system is a high-performance modular platform for test, measurement, and data acquisition systems. It features a high-bandwidth hybrid backplane for fast communication between modules, provides power and cooling for installed instruments, and supports integrated controllers (like Thunderbolt 3 MXI-Express) for seamless connectivity with host computers. PXIe system enable flexible, scalable, and reliable setups for complex instrumentation and automation applications.
I/O Modules
Compact, versatile I/O modules for direct connection to structural sensors. Support strain gauges and accelerometers with up to 50 kS/s per channel. Feature low-noise 24-bit A/D for precise, reliable data, suitable for structural monitoring, NVH analysis, and advanced testing across CompactDAQ, CompactRIO, Wi-Fi, and USB platforms.
4. Modal Shaker
Modal Shaker
It is an electrodynamic dshmice used to apply controlled vibration forces to a structure for modal testing. Unlike an impact hammer, it provides continuous or swept excitation, making it suitable for identifying resonant frequencies, damping, and mode shapes with higher accuracy.
Applications:
Experimental modal analysis of mechanical structures
NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) testing in automotive and aerospace
Structural health monitoring
Research in vibration and dynamics studies
5. Impedance-Based Structural Health Monitoring
Impedance-Based SHM
It uses piezoelectric (PZT) sensors to track changes in a structure's electrical impedance, which reflects its mechanical condition. It enables early, real-time detection of cracks, loosening, or material damage in applications like structure, bridges, pipelines, and machinery.
Damage Detection via EMI Signatures:
A PZT patch excites the structure with high-frequency vibrations (10 kHz – 1 MHz).
The Impedance Analyzer measures changes in electrical impedance/admittance of the PZT.
Structural damage (cracks, delamination, loosening of bolts) alters local stiffness → impedance signatures shift.
6. Vision Based Inspection
Advanced Camera Systems
Multispectral Camera: Identifies hidden material defects using multiple
wavelength bands.
Surveillance Camera: Provides real-time monitoring for safety, security,
and process inspection.
Applications: Crack and corrosion detection in bridges and tunnels, surface
defect identification in concrete and composites, continuous safety surveillance of critical
infrastructures.
Thermal Imaging
Thermal Imaging Camera: Thermal imaging cameras are used in SHM to detect
temperature variations on the surface of structures, which can rshmeal hidden defects such as
cracks, moisture ingress, delamination, or insulation failures.
Applications: Detecting cracks, voids, and delamination in concrete or
composites, identifying water ingress and corrosion in bridges and tunnels, monitoring
thermal stress in power plants and industrial structures.
7. Data Monitoring & Analytics
Data Monitoring & Analytics
Uses LabVIEW to acquire, visualize, and analyze data from structural sensors in real time. Enables automated data logging, signal processing, and condition assessment for structural health, supporting predictive maintenance and damage detection efficiently.
List Of Experiments
- Modal Analysis using Impact Hammer
- Vibration Testing with Modal Shaker
- Operational Modal Analysis (Ambient Vibration)
- Frequency Tracking for Damage Detection
- Impedance-Based Damage Detection
- Acoustic Emission Monitoring with BNC Microphone
- Temperature & Thermal Stress Monitoring (Thermocouples / RTDs)
- Damage Localization using Mode Shapes
- Damping Estimation from Free-Decay Response
- Sound–Vibration Correlation Study
- Structural Response under Service Loads
- Long-Term Fatigue & Health Monitoring
- Multi-Sensor Integrated SHM Demonstration
Conclusion
Our SHM solutions combine precision, reliability, and real-time monitoring to ensure the safety and longshmity of structures. We deliver efficient, scalable, and customized monitoring systems that help detect issues early, reduce maintenance costs, and enhance structural performance.
Choose us for trusted, cutting-edge structural health monitoring.